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Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment
ADVERTISE: July 23, 2025
AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 22 – Rules Pertaining to Department Publication
TYPE OF RULE (check one): X Routine Technical Major Substantive
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER (leave blank; to be assigned by Secretary of State):
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to repeal Chapter 22 rules. The Chapter is now obsolete as the Department’s magazine has been out of publication since Spring of 2008. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.
Date, time and location of PUBLIC HEARING (if any): none scheduled.
COMMENT DEADLINE: August 22, 2025
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING (include name, mailing address, telephone, fax, TTY, email):
Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 353 Water Street 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333; phone: 207-287-5202; fax: 207-287-6395; e-mail: Becky.Orff@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different):
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): No fiscal impact.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS 10104
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
AGENCY WEBSITE: www.maine.gov/ifw
EMAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULEMAKING LIAISON: Becky.Orff@maine.gov
ADVERTISE: August 6, 2025
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 1. Open Water and Ice Fishing Regulations (Musquash Lake, West)
TYPE OF RULE (check one): X Routine Technical Major Substantive
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:
BRIEF SUMMARY: As a result of the discovery of the presence of largemouth bass, an illegally introduced, warmwater species in West Musquash Lake located in T6 R1 NBPP, the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing the following change to South Zone fishing regulations:
MUSQUASH LAKE, WEST, T6 R1 NBPP (South Zone). General fishing laws apply, except: S-13, S-17. No bag limit on togue under 23 inches and no minimum length limit. Daily bag limit on togue greater than 33 inches: 1 fish. All togue between 23 and 33 inches must be released alive at once. From October 1 - December 31: Closed to all fishing.
As this lake is in the South Zone where bass are managed and protected, this regulation proposes removing the general law protections for bass in West Musquash Lake. A complete copy of the proposal may be requested from the agency contact person.
Date, time, and location of PUBLIC HEARING: August 26, 2025 @ 4:00pm -- IFW, 353 Water Street, 3rd floor conference room, Augusta, ME
COMMENT DEADLINE: September 5, 2025
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 353 Water Street, #41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333; Becky.Orff@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different):
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None anticipated.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS Sections 10104 & 12453
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED:
AGENCY WEBSITE: www.maine.gov/ifw
E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON: Becky.Orff@maine.gov